Chelsea ended Arsenal‘s 20-game unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League with a 1-0 win over their London rivals at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Blues went ahead six minutes before halftime when the visitors were caught playing out from the back and United States international Alyssa Thompson slotted in after Keira Walsh’s shot had been saved.
The Gunners — who had drawn their last two WSL matches — improved in the second half, with Chloe Kelly’s angled drive blocked and Alessia Russo’s shot charged down, but the hosts saw out the closing stages for a third WSL win.
After ending Arsenal’s streak, Chelsea now have the longest unbeaten run in the WSL at 12 games.
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Chelsea move up to third in the table, level on 10 points with Tottenham, who had earlier thrashed Aston Villa 4-0, with Victoria Pelova scoring twice at the BetWright Stadium.
Netherlands midfielder Pelova — signed after leaving Arsenal in the summer — broke the deadlock in the 54th minute and then fired in a second off the underside of the crossbar for a fourth goal in two WSL games.
Spurs — who thrashed promoted Crystal Palace 7-0 last week — sealed victory after Caitlin Dijkstra headed in and Cathinka Tandberg added a fourth with two minutes left.
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Beata Olsson’s early header and Cornelia Kapocs’ late goal earned the bragging rights for Liverpool in a 2-0 Merseyside derby victory over Everton at Anfield.
Manchester United secured their first WSL victory under new boss Eva Olid with a 2-1 win over West Ham in Leigh, after goals from Elisabeth Terland and summer signing Andrea Medina. Viviane Asseyi scored a consolation for the Hammers from the penalty spot in added time.
Birmingham drew 3-3 with Crystal Palace at St Andrew’s — where Oceane Hurtre had fired the Blues ahead after 40 seconds for the quickest goal of the WSL season so far.
PA contributed to this report.
